This grant program is not currently being offered.  For grants available to farmers please take a look at theAgency Grants and Loans pagefor more information.

Financial support is available to farm businesses in their nutrient waste efforts through the "Partnership for Assistance on Agricultural Waste Management Systems" (the "Partnership"). This partnership consists of the following cooperators: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA Farm Service Agency, University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, Connecticut Conservation Districts, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

Through this partnership, a farm business may obtain waste management planning, structure design and qualify for financial assistance as well as help in procuring required permits.

In cooperation with the "Partnership", the USDA Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) provides cost sharing for agricultural improvements that will help meet water quality and other environmental objectives. Based on state priorities, EQIP offers 5 to 10 year contracts that provide incentive payments and cost sharing for conservation practices. Cost sharing may pay up to 75% of the cost of structures and up to 100% of certain management practices.  Applications will be ranked and reviewed by the NRCS. All EQIP funding projects must meet NRCS technical standards.

Another source of financing within the "Partnership" is sometimes available through the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Environmental Assistance Program (EAP) for Connecticut farmers. This program allows for the Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture to reimburse any farmer for part of the costs that qualify under the EAP in order to maintain compliance with Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection approved agricultural waste management plan. The total combined federal and state grant available to a farmer shall be no more than 75% if the project cost. A technical team will review and rank all applications. Each farm's application must also be approved by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. The funds must be used for capital improvement and grants are subject to fund availability.

For information on the State of Connecticut and USDA programs that help farms to protect the environment while managing their ag waste, contact:

Connecticut Department of Agriculture

Environmental Assistance Program

450 Columbus Boulevard

Hartford, CT  06103

Phone:  (860) 713-2503

344 Merrow Road

Tolland, CT  06084

Phone:  (860) 871-4090

344 Merrow Road

Tolland, CT  06084

Phone:  (860) 871-4011

Fax:     (860) 871-4054